Matthew 25:23
What does Matthew 25:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 25:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 25:23 means
Mirroring the commendation given to the first servant, the master declared to the two-talent servant, "Well done, good and faithful servant." He affirmed his faithfulness "over a few things" and promised to entrust him with "many things," inviting him into "the joy of thy lord." This identical praise emphasizes that God values faithfulness equally, regardless of the initial quantity of gifts. It reinforces the principle that diligent effort with what one has, rather than comparing oneself to others, secures divine approval and eternal reward.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949His lord said to him, Well done, good and true servant: you have been true in a small thing, I will give you control over great things: take your part in the joy of your lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`His lord said to him, Well done, servant, good and faithful, over a few things thou wast faithful, over many things I will set thee; enter into the joy of thy lord.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890His lord said to him, Well, good and faithful bondman, thou wast faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Context
This verse delivers the master's commendation and reward to the second servant, directly paralleling verse 21. This identical praise for both the five-talent and two-talent servants underscores that faithfulness, not the sheer volume of return, is what pleases the master. This repeated positive affirmation dramatically heightens the contrast with the upcoming account of the servant who received only one talent, setting the stage for his condemnation.
v.22And he also that received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents.
v.23This passage
v.24And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 25:21
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- Mark 12:41
And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
- Mark 14:8
She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
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